HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Done MTP Arthrodesis Surgery On Toe. X-ray Shows Fractured Plate. Plate Broken Due To Fatigue Failure?

I had an MTP arthrodesis surgery on large right toe 4 months ago. The surgeon inserted a small thin plate with 6 screws for internal fixation. The plate was small compared to typical plates used in that proceedure: about 1/6 the crossectional area. The x ray showed that the plate had fractured after 4 months. My question is this. Could the plate have broken due to fatigue failure as I was on a cam walker boot? Isn't that a more likely cause than a sudden plate fracture due to using a leg press exercise machine with the heels of my foot only in a cam boot such that zero direct stress is applied to the right forefoot, and the force applied to the right heel of the foot was only 60 lbs per foot?

Mon, 28 Oct 2013
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi, it appears that the plate of the orthodesis surgery is broken, due to the stress over it. The stress may be due to any reason,or combination of some of them. The point here is not the why, and what to be done now.
So i advise you to consult theoperating surgeon for follow up. In case of non union, or after the union, it can break. if it is after the union, it can be removed with out any further aipulations. if non union some thing is to be done. Thank you.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Bone fracture


Loading Online Doctors....
Done MTP Arthrodesis Surgery On Toe. X-ray Shows Fractured Plate. Plate Broken Due To Fatigue Failure?

Hi, it appears that the plate of the orthodesis surgery is broken, due to the stress over it. The stress may be due to any reason,or combination of some of them. The point here is not the why, and what to be done now. So i advise you to consult theoperating surgeon for follow up. In case of non union, or after the union, it can break. if it is after the union, it can be removed with out any further aipulations. if non union some thing is to be done. Thank you.